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Acambay, Mexico State, Mexico — The Central Highlands (North America)
 

Parish and Ex Convent of San Miguel Arcángel

Esplendor Mazahua

 
 
Parish and Ex Convent of San Miguel Arcángel Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, September 1, 2019
1. Parish and Ex Convent of San Miguel Arcángel Marker
Inscription.  

Parroquia y Ex Convento de San Miguel Arcángel
La evangelización de de los indígenas, en su mayoría otomíes, que habitaban la actual región de Acambay estuvo a cargo de la Orden Franciscana. Los frailes utilizaron como método de coversión el sincretismo religioso y no la imposición, pues sabían que éste daba mejores resultados. Así, las imágenes de los dioses prehispánicos Huitzilopochtli y Tezcatlipoca, adoradas en el centro ceremonial de Huamango, fueron sustituidas paulatinamente por la imagen de San Miguel Arcángel.

En el siglo XVII, aproximadamente en le año de 1623, los franciscanos, con la ayuda de la mano indígena, comenzaron a construir un templo dedicado a San Miguel. Asimismo, el convento fue tomando forma hasta quedar listo todo el conjunto arquitectónico años más tarde.

Transcurrieron los años en tranquilidad, pero el 19 de noviembre de 1912 un temblor de 7.1 grados Ricther azotó la región. Justo en el momento del incidente, el párroco local se encontraba oficiando misa en el templo cuando el movimiento de las tierras sacudió el edificio para, finalmente, derrumbarlo por completo. Muchos
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de los que se encontraban en la parroquia fallecieron, incluidos el sacerdote y el sacristán. Mientras tanto, en las calles sólo se observaban unas cuantas casas aún en pie. El pueblo, como la iglesia, había quedado en ruinas.

Debido al retraso de apoyo económico, tuvieron que pasar dos años para que se iniciaron los trabajos de reconstrucción del templo y del convento. La obra fue posible gracias al donativo de algunos habitantes y al apoyo del pueblo en general, quien aportó la mano de obra. Parte del capital fue destinado a la restuaración de algunas valiosas de arte que se deterioraron por el temblor. Mientras se construía el templo nuevo, cuyo diseño provino de una iglesia ubicada en la Toscana Italiana, se usaba un galerón adjunto al convento como recinto para oficiar la misa.

La actual Parroquia de San Miguel presenta elementos de distintos estilos arquitectónicos, lo que la convierte en una construcción ecléctica. Ésta sirve como escenario para la celebración anual que se hace en honor a San Miguel, patrono del pueblo, en la cual los habitantes de Acambay y de otros pueblos aledaños rinden homenaje al santo con distintas danzas y actos religiosas.

English translation:
Parish and Former Convent of San Miguel Arcángel
The evanqelization of the indigenous, in their majority otomí people who inhabited the region currently
Parish and Ex Convent of San Miguel Arcángel Marker English text image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, September 1, 2019
2. Parish and Ex Convent of San Miguel Arcángel Marker English text
The English text can be hard to read as it faces the street and parked vehicles, as seen here in this view.
called Acambay was in charge of the Franciscan Order. The friars used as a method of converting the religious syncretism rather than imposition, knowing that it gave better results. Thus, images of prehispanic gods, such as Huitzilopochtli and Tezcatlipoca worshiped in the ceremonial center of Huamango were gradually replaced by the image of San Miguel Archangel.

In the XVIIth century around 1623, the Franciscans, with the help of the indigenous hand began to build a church dedicated to San Miguel. Also, this convent began taking shape to be completed years later.

Years went by years peacefully, but on November 19th, 1912 an earthquake of 7.1 degrees Richter struck the region. Just at the time of the incident the local priest was conducting mass at the church when the movement of the earth shook the building to finally bring it down completely. Many of the those who were in the parish died, including the priest and the sacristan. Meanwhile, on the streets only a few homes still standing were seen. The village, like the church had been ruined.

Due to the delay of financial support, it took two years for the reconstruction of the church and of the convent. The work was made possible by the donation of some residents and the support of the people in general, who provided labor. Part of the capital was aimed at restoring some valuable artworks that were damaged
Parish and Ex Convent of San Miguel Arcángel and Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, September 1, 2019
3. Parish and Ex Convent of San Miguel Arcángel and Marker
by the quake. While the new church was built, with a design from a church in the Italian Tuscany a big barn attached to the convent was used as a venue to celebrate mass.

The current Parish Church of San Miguel has different architectural styles, which makes it an eclectic construction. This sets the stage for the annual celebration in honor of San Miguel patron of the town, where the inhabitants of Acambay and other surrounding towns pay homage to the saint with various dances and religious ceremonies.
 
Erected by Gobierno del Estado de México.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public WorkChurches & ReligionColonial EraFraternal or Sororal OrganizationsWomen. A significant historical date for this entry is November 19, 1912.
 
Location. 19° 57.352′ N, 99° 50.587′ W. Marker is in Acambay, Estado de Mexico (Mexico State). Marker is on Dr. Ruiz Castañeda just west of Francisco Sarabia, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Acambay MEX 50300, Mexico. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Foundation of the "Acambayense League" (a few steps from this marker); Parish Church of San Miguel Arcángel (within shouting distance of this marker); Execution of Lindoro Cajiga (within shouting distance of this marker); The 1921 Acambay Earthquake
A 1689 cross from the Parish of San Miguel Arcángel image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, September 1, 2019
4. A 1689 cross from the Parish of San Miguel Arcángel
This cross is at the nearby Acambay Regional Museum.
(within shouting distance of this marker); History of Acambay (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Mexican Independence, Revolution and Acambay Earthquake (about 90 meters away); Maximiliano Ruiz Castañeda (about 90 meters away); Otomíes of Acambay (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Acambay.
 
Interior of Parish and Ex Convent of San Miguel Arcángel image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, September 1, 2019
5. Interior of Parish and Ex Convent of San Miguel Arcángel
Parish and Ex Convent of San Miguel Arcángel image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, September 1, 2019
6. Parish and Ex Convent of San Miguel Arcángel
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 137 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 7, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.

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May. 10, 2024